Resultados de un programa de rehabilitación respiratoria en pacientes receptores de trasplante pulmonar: estudio cuasiexperimental

Introduction

Lung transplant (LT) is the ultimate option for end-stage lung diseases. Malnutrition and sarcopenia, common in LT recipients, can be reversible with adequate exercise and nutrition. This study aims to assess changes in physical performance and aerobic capacity after a 10-week rehabilitation program (RP) in LT recipients, as well as to describe the prevalence of sarcopenia and malnutrition before and after RP and their influence on clinically relevant outcomes.

Materials and methods

Quasi-experimental study, before and after a 10-week PR in first-time TP recipients, aged over 18 years, from January 2022 to September 2023. Aerobic exercise capacity was assessed through the 6-minute walking test (6MWT) and peak oxygen consumption (VO₂peak); and physical performance was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Additionally, the prevalence of sarcopenia was described according to the criteria of the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP2) and malnutrition according to the criteria of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM).

Results

Of the 41 patients, 56% had sarcopenia and 80% had malnutrition. After RP, the distance walked in the 6MWT increased by 66.3 m (p = 0.004) in men and 61 m (p = 0.001) in women. VO₂peak increased in men by a mean of 3.1 ml/min/kg (p = 0.024). Physical performance improved significantly in both men and women according to the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), with clinically relevant differences of 1.6 pts (p < 0.001) and 1.2 pts (p = 0.012), respectively. The prevalence of sarcopenia decreased to 24% and malnutrition to 61%.

Conclusions

RP proved to be an effective and safe intervention for LT recipients. In addition to improvements in skeletal muscle strength and exercise capacity, a reduction in the prevalence of sarcopenia and malnutrition was also observed.